Climate Governance and Equity

Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies

Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are policy consultants composed of appointed experts and stakeholders representing various communities and are responsible for making recommendations to state governments and increasing public engagement on EJ issues. EJ advisory bodies can help influence governmental decision-making by representing EJ priorities and public interest within a group of authority that is independent from state government.

Advisory bodies are useful for increasing intentional representation and public engagement, while dedicated environmental justice staff within a state’s government act as vital implementers of EJ policy. However, the existence of either of these authorities does not ensure that environmental justice goals are being met; they are subject to political capture and subversion and can also lack the authority to counteract environmental injustices. Advisory bodies established through other means are typically formed through an agency or interagency initiative. Unlike bodies formed through executive orders, these have more staying power and are closely related to those created through legislation. Many environmental justice advisory bodies are established and maintained through a governor’s executive order, making them vulnerable to dissolution in the event of an administration change.

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Glossary of Terms

States with Policy Enacted

In Progress

Partially Enacted

See States List

Key Resources

Glossary of Terms

State Climate Equity Survey

A comprehensive assessment and map of the environmental justice and energy equity legislation and regulations in each U.S. state.

2023

Source:

Environmental Defense Fund

State and Federal Environmental Justice Efforts

An overview of federal and state policies and actions, including state offices and task forces, permitting reform, and EJ community identification.

2023

Source:

National Conference of State Legislatures

Compendium of State Regulatory Activities on Environmental Justice

A compilation of all environmental justice initiatives and regulations in all 50 states and U.S. territories, including EJ-involved agencies and programs.

2021

Source:

Integral Consulting

Model Rules

Glossary of Terms

Model Law Establishing an Environmental Advisory Board

A model law that establishes an Environmental Advisory Board to provide insights, accountability, and a platform for impacted communities to engage with government decision-makers

2023

Source:

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Model States

Glossary of Terms

Colorado

Environmental Justice Advisory Board

Environmental Justice Action Task Force

2021

Establishing Policies

Illinois

Commission on Environmental Justice

Justice40 Oversight Committee

2011

Establishing Policies

Oregon

Environmental Justice Council

2022

Establishing Policies

Washington

Environmental Justice Council

2021

Establishing Policies

SB 5141 (2021)

Glossary of Terms

Filters

Status	State Sort descending	Region	YR Enacted
Not Enacted	Alabama Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Alaska Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Arizona Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Arkansas Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	California Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Committee Disadvantaged Community Advisory Group Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Advisory Committee Disadvantaged Community Advisory Group Empty column	West
Enacted	Colorado Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Board Environmental Justice Action Task Force Establishing Policies HB 21-1266 (2021) Environmental Justice Advisory Board Environmental Justice Action Task Force Empty column	West	2021
Enacted	Connecticut Empty column Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council Equity and Environmental Justice Working Group Establishing Policies Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council Equity and Environmental Justice Working Group Empty column	Northeast
Enacted	Delaware Empty column Justice Forty Oversight Committee Community Involvement Advisory Council Establishing Policies Resolution 40 (2021) Community Involvement Advisory Council Empty column	Southeast	2021
Not Enacted	Florida Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Georgia Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Hawai‘i Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Idaho Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	West
Enacted	Illinois Empty column Commission on Environmental Justice Justice40 Oversight Committee Establishing Policies 415 ILCS 155/ (2011) HB 2487 (2023) Commission on Environmental Justice Empty column	Midwest	2011
Not Enacted	Indiana Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Iowa Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kansas Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kentucky Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Louisiana Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	Maine Empty column Equity Subcommittee of the Maine Climate Council Establishing Policies Equity Subcommittee of the Maine Climate Council Empty column	Northeast
Enacted	Maryland Empty column Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities Establishing Policies Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	Massachusetts Empty column Environmental Justice Council Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Council Empty column	Northeast
Enacted	Michigan Empty column Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice Establishing Policies Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice (2020) Empty column	Midwest	2020
Enacted	Minnesota Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Group Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Advisory Group Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Mississippi Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Missouri Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Montana Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Nebraska Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Nevada Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	New Hampshire Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Northeast
Enacted	New Jersey Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Council Establishing Policies Environmental Justice Advisory Council Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	New Mexico Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southwest
Enacted	New York Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Group Establishing Policies S2385 (2019) Empty column	Northeast	2019
Enacted	North Carolina Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Council Establishing Policies Executive Order 292 (2023) Environmental Justice Advisory Council Empty column	Southeast	2023
Not Enacted	North Dakota Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Ohio Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Oklahoma Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southwest
Enacted	Oregon Empty column Environmental Justice Council Establishing Policies HB 4077 (2022) Environmental Justice Council Empty column	West	2022
Enacted	Pennsylvania Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Board Establishing Policies Executive Order 2021-07 (2021) Environmental Justice Advisory Board Empty column	Northeast	2021
In-Progress	Rhode Island Empty column The Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) must create an Environmental Justice Committee. Establishing Policies EC4 Environmental Justice Committee Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	South Carolina Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	South Dakota Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Tennessee Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Texas Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Utah Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	West
Enacted	Vermont Empty column Environmental Justice Advisory Council Establishing Policies SB 148 (2022) Environmental Justice Advisory Council Empty column	Northeast	2022
Enacted	Virginia Empty column Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Establishing Policies Virginia Council on Environmental Justice (2019) Empty column	Southeast	2019
Enacted	Washington Empty column Environmental Justice Council Establishing Policies SB 5141 (2021) Empty column	West	2021
Not Enacted	West Virginia Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Wisconsin Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Wyoming Empty column Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. Empty column	West

Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies

Key Resources

Model Rules

Model States

Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies By State